Scottish Open 2006

Neither Polish riders nor Berwick riders have a history of success at Armadale, but Bandits' Pole Stanislaw Burza didn't let that stop him as he added his name to the Scottish Open Roll of Honour.

It was a totally deserved triumph as he topped the qualifying scores with 14, then dealt firmly with the opposition in the Final to win with some ease. He was a very happy man afterwards, hailed by all the supporters including a group of delighted Polish fans waving flags and banners.

the two-year old track record was equalled in the opening heat by Magnus Karlsson, with Theo Pijper taking a couple of laps to pass Derek Sneddon for second.

Tigers' Bird and Parker were away in heat 2 until Monarchs' new man Daniele Tessari went through the middle of them and bowled over Parker. He was a bit lucky to get back in the rerun but finished at the back as the Tigers romped home with Bird ahead.

Heat 3 was a good one. Burza made the start and William Lawson passed David Howe, struggling with his knee injury, before chasing the Pole. On the last turn a Lawson dive unsettled Burza and the home man went across the line first.

Lyons and Compton came down on the first turn of heat 4, and for a moment it looked as though Lyons might be hurt. However he got up to win the rerun, which was a good three-man battle with Compton and Stancl until George shed a chain.

Danny Bird moved on to 6 points, Andre Compton beat Theo Pijper and it was good to see David Howe gain a win in heat 7, beating Shane Parker with a bit to spare.

Burza's win over Lyons left both riders on 5 along with Lawson and Compton, and one behind leader Bird.

Jason Lyons was too quick for David Howe in heat 9, and David needed points after his first heat duck.

Burza was away again in heat 10, this time heading the formidable Bird with Pijper also chasing. At one point Theo slipped through to second but he was pegged back again, and with just 5 from 3 Theo was needing points.

Compton had an easy win in heat 11 with William Lawson a disappointing last.

Shane Parker scored his first win in heat 12, with Stancl back on track after missing his second ride, but coming last.

Heat 13 showed Burza at his best. Parker made the start but the Pole moved alongside him down the back straight, on the outside. Shane moved across the pits corner giving Stan just enough room, and it was Burza who reached lap two inches in front. He went on to win brilliantly and no-one was under-rating him now.

Heat 14 was the one which Theo Pijper would regret most - defeated by a smooth ride by Thomas Suchanek. David Howe finished at the back and that was farewell to the 2005 champion.

Bird kept up the pressure by beating Lyons and at this stage it seemed certain that the Tigers' man would go direct to the final.

Heat 16 was an excellent race and showed Chris Kerr at his best. He was wearing a USA World Cup race suit and showed true American style to pass Lawson and then Karlsson for a terrific win.

He was enjoying himself now and also won heat 17 to take his score to 8, not enough to qualify but a very good effort by the youngster.

Theo Pijper had had a modest night so far but he jumped out of the gate to beat Parker, with Lyons retiring at the back. It put Theo on 10 but that didn't prove to be enough.

No mistakes from Burza in heat 19, hit total was 14 and he was in the final.

Bird should have joined him but he was ruled to have touched the tapes in heat 20 after he caught them with his helmet. Andre Compton won it, while Bird made no headway, trying too hard on the slick surface - so that meant Compton was the other to go through direct to the final.

Magnus Karlsson's second place (he had a struggle with Sean Stoddart) earned him 10 and he pipped Theo to the semi-final on the usual deciding factors.

The semi-finalists were Bird, Parker, Lyons and Karlsson, and Danny was the first to lose out as he spun on the first turn. Lyons led from Parker after a great outside run on the first bend - then Shane's engine went on the pits corner.

So it was a disaster for the Tigers and a free run for Jason Lyons and Magnus Karlsson.

Jason had gate 4 in the final, and again made the big run round the dirt - only to find that Stan Burza had made a good start off the inside and was there before him.

The Pole rode a great race even though the rain had started to fall lightly, and he was never really challenged. He was delighted and the crowd celebrated with him just as much as if it had been a home man.